Species Alpine Milk Vetch
purple-white flowers and buds with purple-lime sepals, green leaves and stems

Alpine Milk Vetch

Astragalus alpinus var. brunetianus

Also Known As - Labrador Milkvetch,Brunet's Milkvetch
Alpine Milk Vetch (Astragalus alpinus var. brunetianus) is a delicate flower native to alpine meadows in the Rocky Mountains that is now often found in various habitats across much of the western United States and Canada. The coat of small purple flowers covers the entire plant, making a stunning backdrop of color when seen from afar. Its densely branched stems are frequently matted with thick, wooly fibers close to the ground. The rich, nutritious nectar of the Alpine Milk Vetch is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant is becoming increasingly rare due to habitat loss and over-collection, making it important to protect remaining populations.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

Sun

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Alpine Milk Vetch should be watered on a regular basis, as it is prone to drought. The best time to water is in the morning directly after sunrise, when temperatures are at their coolest. Water should be provided in generous amounts, until moisture is visible at the surface of the soil. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy, as root rot is a potential concern. Depending on the weather, the Alpine Milk Vetch may need to be watered every day or every other day.

sunlight

Alpine Milk Vetch prefers to receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. This plant species will thrive when given some shade during the afternoon heat, and is also tolerant of partial shade. It is most easily grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7. In general, midday sun is recommended for this plant species, but it can thrive in different environments.

pruning

Alpine Milk Vetch should be pruned in early spring, just before new growth begins. Prune it either lightly or hard, depending on the effect you would like to achieve. Light pruning will keep the plant more compact, while hard pruning will invigorate the plant and encourage it to produce more and bigger flowers. Cut each stem back to about 2 or 3 inches. To make the plant look neater, remove any dead or broken stems, and also any that are crossing each other.